Best Schools in Lake Forest, Illinois
13 schools · 7 Elementary · 2 Middle · 4 High
Choosing a school in Lake Forest?
Use this page to compare every school in Lake Forest by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Deer Path Middle Sch West
Middle · Lake Forest Sd 67. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Everett Elem School
Elementary · Lake Forest Sd 67. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Deer Path Middle Sch East
Middle · Lake Forest Sd 67. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Lake Forest for 2026 are Deer Path Middle Sch West (9.9/10), Everett Elem School (9.9/10), and Deer Path Middle Sch East (9.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
13
7 public · 6 private
Avg Score
8.1
out of 10
Median Home
$899,200
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
13
7 public · 6 private
Avg Score
8.1
out of 10
Median Home
$899,200
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +29.1 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Lake Forest schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Lake Forest
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 rated schools; 13 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deer Path Middle Sch West | 9.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Everett Elem School | 9.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Deer Path Middle Sch East | 9.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Sheridan Elem School | 9.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Lake Forest High School | 8.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Cherokee Elem School | 8.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Rondout Elem School | 5.5 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 8.1/10
- Median household income
- $225,551
- Median home value
- $899,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 81%
- Avg commute
- 33 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 89%
69% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Lake Forest compares
Illinois rank
#14 of 450
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.7
above Illinois avg (6.4)
Median household income
$226k
275% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
13
Lake Forest SD 67 runs 71% of Lake Forest's public schools
Lake Forest touches 3 districts, but Lake Forest SD 67 is the one most addresses actually attend.
Lake Forest SD 67 accounts for 5 of 7 public schools (71%). The other 2 districts hold the remaining 2.
Among 7 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.5 to 9.9 — the spread is inside Lake Forest, not a citywide average.
- Lake Forest SD 675 public · 71%
- Lake Forest Chsd 1151 public · 14%
- Rondout SD 721 public · 14%
About Schools in Lake Forest, Illinois
Lake Forest, Illinois is home to 13 schools, including 7 public schools and 6 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 8.1 out of 10, schools in Lake Forest perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Lake Forest is Deer Path Middle Sch West with a composite score of 9.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Lake Forest is served by 3 school districts: Lake Forest SD 67, Lake Forest CHSD 115, Rondout SD 72. These districts collectively serve 3,181 students.
Lake Forest's community shows 81% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $225,551. The poverty rate in the area is 3.9%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 308 students · Kindergarten–4th | 9.9 | ||
| 2 | 265 students · Pre-K–4th | 9.6 | ||
| 3 | 339 students · Kindergarten–4th | 8.4 | ||
| 4 | 149 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.5 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 325 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | School of St MaryPrivate 336 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 68 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 382 students · 7th–8th | 9.9 |
| 2 | 363 students · 5th–6th | 9.7 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,375 students · 9th–12th | 8.9 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 120 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Lake Forest AcademyPrivate 446 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 45 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Lake Forest
Lake Forest, Illinois · 13 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$225,551
Median Home Value
$899,200
Median Rent
$2,321/mo
Population
20,957
College Educated
81%
Homeownership
89%
Avg Commute
33 min
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Community Profile
Lake Forest has a median household income of $225,551. It is a well-educated community where 81% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $899,200, with a median rent of $2,321/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 4
Resources
Other Major Cities in Illinois
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Lake Forest, Illinois
How many schools are in Lake Forest, Illinois?
Lake Forest has 13 schools, including 7 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lake Forest, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lake Forest is 8.1 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Lake Forest, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Lake Forest on MySchoolScout is Deer Path Middle Sch West with a composite score of 9.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lake Forest, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lake Forest on MySchoolScout is Everett Elem School with a composite score of 9.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Lake Forest, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Lake Forest on MySchoolScout is Deer Path Middle Sch West with a composite score of 9.9/10.
What is the best high school in Lake Forest, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Lake Forest on MySchoolScout is Lake Forest High School with a composite score of 8.9/10.
How many school districts serve Lake Forest, Illinois?
Lake Forest is served by 3 school districts: Lake Forest Sd 67, Lake Forest Chsd 115, Rondout Sd 72.
What is the education level in Lake Forest, Illinois?
According to Census data, 81% of adults in Lake Forest have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lake Forest, Illinois?
The median household income in Lake Forest is approximately $225,551 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Lake Forest, Illinois?
Yes, Lake Forest has 6 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart with a score of 8.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lake Forest, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lake Forest is 8.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lake Forest, Illinois?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Illinois Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.